7. 6
NEWCOMERS EXPERIENCE
• Task-related uncertainty
• Relational uncertainty
• Uncertainty about org. culture/norms
• Uncertainty about power relationships
8. Picture yourself as a new Amazon employee
What kind of uncertainty might you encounter?
9. 8
REDUCTION THEORY
• When we meet someone new, we experience uncertainty
• Uncertainty makes us feel uncomfortable
• Goal: reduce uncertainty by seeking info & communicating
• As we reduce uncertainty & gain info, liking increases
• Gaining additional info can lead to increased uncertainty
and decreased liking
11. 9
MANAGEMENT THEORY
• We can manage uncertainty through cognitive
processes without seeking info or communicating
with others
Kramer, 2004
KEY DIFFERENCES:2
12. 9
MANAGEMENT THEORY
• We can manage uncertainty through cognitive
processes without seeking info or communicating
with others
• We often don’t actively seek info because of
impression management needs
Kramer, 2004
KEY DIFFERENCES:2
13. 9
MANAGEMENT THEORY
• We can manage uncertainty through cognitive
processes without seeking info or communicating
with others
• We often don’t actively seek info because of
impression management needs
Kramer, 2004
KEY DIFFERENCES:2
Goal: Manage (not necessarily reduce) uncertainty
15. @client @client @client
A DEFINITION
ROLE
The social process that
newcomers face in
needing to figure out
what their work role
responsibilities will be
and how those duties will
be performed. Some
negotiated before entry,
most after entry.
NEGOTIATION
1. Org. members have role
expectations
Expectations communicated
to newcomer
2.
Newcomer interprets
expectations
3.
Newcomer enacts role,
communicates an understanding
4.
Enacted role provides
feedback to org
5.
16. @client @client @client
A DEFINITION
BOUNDARY
Psychological or socially
constructed boundaries
that separate social
spheres and groups of
individuals.
PASSAGES
Functional boundaries1.
Hierarchical boundaries
2.
Inclusionary boundaries3.
• Departments
• Different lingo
• Related to rank or status
• Who is influential, part of
decision makers? Who is on
the fringe of the group?
